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Getting Braces as an Adult

22 January 2025
A woman with braces is smiling brightly, showcasing her joyful expression and confidence.

There are a few common misconceptions about orthodontic treatment - specifically, braces - that adults tend to have, which may be holding them back from correcting issues such as overbites, underbites, crooked teeth, or protruding teeth. Many people often think that braces are just for teens, but they are actually suitable for all ages.

In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about orthodontic treatment as an adult, from the different braces and aligners available to the importance of attending check-ups. If you have any questions that we haven’t covered, please don’t hesitate to contact our practice!

Braces Are for Everyone

A man with braces smiles warmly at the camera, showcasing his cheerful demeanor and bright personality.

Orthodontic treatments like braces and aligners have become much more common in adults over recent years. Statistics from the British Orthodontic Society (BOS) stated that 76% of orthodontists in the UK saw an increase in adult patients between 2020 and 2023, a shift influenced by celebrities and the rise of online working - since people see their own teeth regularly on camera! 

There Are Many Issues Which Braces Address

Braces and aligners offer a highly effective solution to several common orthodontic issues that many people struggle with. These issues are caused by misalignments in the jaw, which shift the teeth into unnatural positions, affecting their ability to function properly as well as your facial aesthetics. If you’re dealing with any of the following, we recommend you schedule an appointment with an orthodontist:

These issues won’t get better without treatment and have the potential to worsen over time. This might cause further problems such as an increased risk of tooth damage and decay, jaw pain, speech and chewing issues, self-esteem issues, and gum disease. 

The Types of Aligners & Braces For Adults

 A close-up of incognito dental braces, showcasing their discreet design and placement behind the teeth for a subtle appearance.

Many people assume that orthodontics is just a more sophisticated term for traditional metal braces, but it actually encompasses a much broader range of treatments. If you’re considering treatment but don’t like the look of fixed metal braces, there are many other types to choose from, such as:

Ceramic Product
Ceramic fixed braces: (tooth-coloured braces for a more discrete look)
3d Lingual
Lingual braces: (also known as Incognito braces, since they’re fixed behind the teeth)
Invisalign Product
Invisalign aligners: (a clear, removable plastic device that sits over the teeth)
Angel Button
Angel aligners: (like Invisalign, Angel aligners offer a discrete alternative to braces)

What to Expect During Adult Orthodontic Treatment

Braces Are a Short Term Solution for Long Term Benefits

Braces (and other treatments) are a small part of your life for greater long-term oral care and facial aesthetics. Every mouth is different, so the length of your treatment will vary depending on the complexity of your orthodontic problem; in some instances, your treatment will only last around 6 months, but the majority will last between 1 to 2 years. Your orthodontist will provide you with a rough timeframe estimate following your assessment. 

Maintaining Oral Hygiene Is Essential

A woman is brushing her teeth with a toothbrush, focusing on her dental hygiene in a bright bathroom setting.

During your treatment, it’s important to maintain proper oral hygiene, just like you would on a normal day-to-day basis. It’s recommended to brush your teeth after every meal using a soft-bristled toothbrush that can fit around your braces, ensuring to brush on top of and below the brackets. If you’re using aligners instead, these can be removed when brushing your teeth. 

There are certain foods and drinks you should avoid during your treatment period, such as energy drinks, sweets, black coffee, chewing gum, and popcorn since these can cause gum inflammation or damage to your wires and brackets. Instead, focus on foods that promote gum health, such as those which are rich in calcium, vitamin C, and phosphorus. 

Initial Orthodontics Discomfort Isn’t Uncommon

When you first start your treatment, it can often take a couple of weeks to adjust to how it feels. Aligners can cause some initial discomfort, but this is usually only mild and will pass after a few days, once your teeth have started to move. 

With braces, you may experience small amounts of rubbing from the brackets and wires, which may cause a small amount of discomfort. However, this won’t last long and can be improved by using wax regularly, following instructions from your orthodontist. If the discomfort persists, get in touch with them so they can explore why this is the case. 

Ensure You Understand the Costs

A person calculating numbers on a calculator placed on a desk, focused on their task.

Braces for adults are very rarely offered through the NHS, meaning you’ll have to pay for treatment at a private clinic. You’ll have to pay for an orthodontic assessment through the clinic, usually costing around £125. 

It is important to know the cost of your different treatment options since every clinic’s pricing will differ. However, it is important to choose an orthodontist that offers a transparent, predictable, and simple pricing structure to offer greater peace of mind, helping you to plan your treatment costs better. Some clinics may even offer alternative ways of spreading the costs, helping you to be more flexible with repayments. 

Attending Check-Up Appointments Is Important

After your treatment is fitted, your orthodontist will outline how regularly they’d like to see you for progress check-ups - often every 4 to 8 weeks for braces, with aligner checkups being less frequent. It’s important you attend these appointments, as they might need to make adjustments to your orthodontics device to improve its effectiveness. Frequently missing appointments could prolong your treatment period, so if you want a swift process, keep those attendance levels high!

What Happens at the End of Your Treatment?

A woman smiles brightly, showcasing her teeth while holding her mouth with her hand.

Completing your orthodontic treatment is an exciting moment, but maintaining your new smile requires ongoing care. At the end of your treatment, your orthodontist will provide retainers to keep your teeth in their new positions. Retainers are crucial because teeth can naturally shift over time without proper support, known as orthodontic relapse.

You may be given fixed retainers, which are discrete wires bonded behind your teeth, or removable retainers, such as clear plastic trays. Your orthodontist will guide you on how long and often to wear them, typically starting with full-time wear before transitioning to nighttime use.

Contact Our Practice Today for Adult Orthodontic Treatment

At Accessible Orthodontics, we offer a range of effective treatments for adults in and around Oxford, from traditional fixed metal braces to Invisalign aligners. Our Specialist Orthodontist, Dr Orolloga, expertly handles a range of different misalignment issues across all levels of severity to a high degree of success - why not become another one of his success stories? 

Book a free consultation with us, either online or face-to-face, to discuss how orthodontic treatment works, and we’ll answer any questions you may have before getting started!